Do a Home Energy Inventory to Get Rid of Energy Sucks

Your house might be wasting energy without you knowing it. Complete a quick home energy inventory to hunt down the easy fixes.

1. Complete a Home Energy Inventory

Look for Energy Wasters

Walk through each room of your house to check your lights and electrical devices.

Are any of the bulbs incandescents or halogens? Especially check bulbs that aren’t a standard shape, like candelabra bulbs. Once you’ve finished checking all the rooms inside your house, head out to the garage, then also go check your exterior lights.

Do you have electronics like DVD players, TVs, and game consuls plugged in to the wall instead of a power strip? Do you turn the power strip off when you’re not using the device, or is it a smart power strip that does it automatically? Many electronics draw power even when they’re not in use.

Are all the AA batteries in your devices rechargeable? Check remote controls, wireless mice, electronic toys and gadgets, flameless candles, flashlights and scales. Which of these could you switch to rechargeable?

Do all your faucets have aerators?

Are all your showerheads low-flow? They should be 2.5 GPM or less.

Check Your Temperature Settings

Do you have a programmable thermostat? If not, are you able to replace your existing thermostat with a programmable one?

Is your thermostat programmed to be cooler when you’re not home and at night while you’re sleeping?

Is your water heater set to 120 degrees or “low”? If you’re not sure, you can use a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water from your sink farthest away.

Want a Deeper Look? Schedule a Home Energy Assessment

Puget Sound Energy offers a free Home Energy Assessment that will take a deeper look at your home’s energy use, identify recommended energy efficiency upgrades, and replace up to 20 incandescents with LEDs for free. You can request a Home Energy Assessment through PSE. If you’re interested in one, request one today.

Where it’s appropriate and you feel comfortable, switch to rechargeable batteries. Flameless candles, toys, and scales are great candidates for battery replacement. Order these or add them to your shopping list.

Order or buy power strips to stop your energy vampires.

Adjust Your Thermostat and Water Heater

Adjust your thermostat as needed. Recommended settings are about 68 degrees while you’re at home, and 7 to 10 degrees cooler at night while you’re sleeping. PSE has some additional tips for adjusting heating.

About Tracy Durnell

Tracy Durnell is the Education and Outreach Specialist for Kirkland's Solid Waste Division. Translation: she teaches Kirkland residents and businesses how to get rid of their waste properly and sustainably. Previously she provided marketing and graphic design at a private environmental consulting firm, and she holds a degree in environmental science from WWU. In her free time, she writes science fiction. She is happy to both live and work in Kirkland.